Feb.14 (GMM) F1 is inching closer to a full investigation by the European Commission. That is the claim of London’s Times newspaper, revealing that politicians want the body to look into how prize money is distributed, tax arrangements, and the FIA’s financial windfall as a result of the Liberty Media buyout. In the parliament’s latest […]
Suspension dispute still raging before test
Feb.14 (GMM) A question mark continues to hang above the legality of the fastest two cars ahead of the 2017 season. Although the new Mercedes and Red Bull cars are yet to be launched, it is already known that they will feature the same 2016-style suspension concept that some are comparing to outlawed active suspension. […]
Dallara hits out at F1’s radical new rules
Feb.13 (GMM) F1 car designer Gian Paolo Dallara has hit at out the sport’s 2017 rules revolution. The 80-year-old, whose company is involved in collaboration with the Ferrari-linked American team Haas, doubts the much faster cars this year will actually make the F1 ‘show’ better. “As an engineer I do not know why they decided […]
Physio doubts Alonso set to retire
Feb.13 (GMM) Fernando Alonso’s long-time physio does not think the Spaniard is shaping up to quit formula one. Alonso, 35, is set to begin the last season on his current McLaren-Honda contract, and has warned that unless 2017 is more enjoyable he could hang up his F1 helmet. But Fabrizio Borra, the two-time champion’s ever-present […]
Magnussen admits he voted against Halo for 2018
Feb.13 (GMM) Kevin Magnussen has admitted he was among the group of F1 drivers who actively voted against introducing ‘Halo’ next year. The controversial cockpit-protection concept was already delayed for 2017, and now it emerges that following a driver vote, it might be put on the back burner for a further year. A German media […]
Giovinazzi not denying Friday practice rumours
Feb.13 (GMM) Antonio Giovinazzi has refused to dismiss speculation he might be in line for some Friday practice outings this season. The Italian, who was the runner-up in GP2 last year, has been signed to be Ferrari’s official reserve driver in 2017. And if Ferrari and Fiat president Sergio Marchionne’s plans to bring Alfa Romeo […]
Bottas targets beating Hamilton to 2017 title
Feb.13 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas is targeting the world championship for 2017. With Finn Bottas switching from Williams, Lewis Hamilton’s father warned just days ago that the triple world champion is nothing short of a “career killer”. But Bottas told the Finnish broadcaster MTV that he intends to beat Hamilton. “My goal is the championship and […]
Mercedes to consider Vettel for 2018 – Rosberg
Feb.13 (GMM) Nico Rosberg says Sebastian Vettel will be in the running for a sensational switch to Mercedes for 2018. For 2017, the German outfit has signed up Valtteri Bottas, following Rosberg’s eleventh-hour decision to quit F1 after winning the 2016 title. “I understand that the ‘Bottas solution’ made sense for Mercedes,” Rosberg told the […]
‘No bluffing’ in 2017 test season – Lauda
Feb.13 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas is pushing hard to be ready for the 2017 season. That is the news from Niki Lauda, the F1 legend and team chairman at Mercedes. He is referring to Finn Bottas, who was Mercedes’ eleventh hour pick to replace the suddenly-retired world champion Nico Rosberg for 2017. “I’m always on the […]
Alonso not backing Brown’s ‘no wins’ claim
Feb.13 (GMM) Fernando Alonso is not willing to join new McLaren boss Zak Brown in playing down the chance of race wins in 2017. As McLaren races into the post-Ron Dennis era, new team executive Brown rounded out last week by admitted: “We are not going to be winning any races” this year. “I read […]
Bottas hits back at Hamilton ‘career killer’ jibe
Feb.10 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has replied to what might be seen as the opening salvo in a new psychological battle between Mercedes’ F1 drivers. Claims by Lewis Hamilton’s father Anthony that the triple world champion is a “career killer” for his teammates was widely interpreted as the first mind game fired at Finn Bottas. On […]
No more carmakers on F1 horizon – reports
Feb.10 (GMM) Rumours are swirling that F1 could be set to welcome another carmaker or four to the grid in the near future. Germany’s Auto Bild reports speculation that VW, Ford, Toyota and BMW have all been linked with potential returns to the championship. A recent report said Volkswagen had not ruled it out, but […]
Sauber to decide on 2018 engine supply – report
Feb.10 (GMM) Sauber could find itself in an early season tussle for its engine business early in 2017. That is the view of Roger Benoit, one of the most experienced journalists in formula one. Writing in the Swiss newspaper Blick, Benoit said that after eight consecutive years with customer Ferrari power, Sauber could be set […]
Perez backs Mexico GP anti-Trump campaign
Feb.10 (GMM) F1 driver Sergio Perez has stepped up his rejection of controversial US president Donald Trump’s Mexican border wall policy. In November, the Force India driver dumped a sunglasses sponsor after it made a joke about the wall following Trump’s shock election win. “I will never let anyone mock my country,” Perez said. Now, […]
F1 engines not ready to crack 1000hp – Abiteboul
Feb.10 (GMM) F1’s ‘power unit’ era is not quite ready to crack the incredible 1000 horse power barrier. That is the claim of Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul, even though the Frenchman admitted the sport’s engine makers will come close to four-digit numbers in 2017. “I think the top performance of the power units will […]
Renault not replacing boss Vasseur – Abiteboul
Feb.10 (GMM) Renault will not be directly replacing departed team boss Frederic Vasseur. That is the claim of Cyril Abiteboul, despite some media reports naming the Frenchman as Vasseur’s successor as team principal. After just a year in charge of the French works team, Vasseur left amid speculation of a management dispute involving Abiteboul. But […]
Private companies to pay Russia GP race fee
Feb.10 (GMM) The race fee for the Russian grand prix will be paid entirely by private investors in 2017. Until now, the state has been deeply involved with the running of the race in Sochi, which since 2014 has been attended by president Vladimir Putin. But the Russian news agency Rambler reports that responsibility for […]
India moves for Mallya’s extradition
Feb.10 (GMM) Force India chief Vijay Mallya has a new battle on his hands ahead of the 2017 season. Reportedly now a former billionaire, the Indian businessman was unable to attend grands prix in 2016 after having his passport revoked amid financial scandals in his native country. Now, the Indian government is moving to extradite […]
Raikkonen to open karaoke bar
Feb.10 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen is set to open a karaoke bar in Helsinki, the capital of his native Finland. That is the claim of the Finnish entertainment magazine Seitseman Paivaa. The report said the Ferrari driver and 2007 world champion wanted to keep the precise location of the venue secret, but it is apparently close […]
Alonso to debut 2017 McLaren
Feb.10 (GMM) Fernando Alonso will give McLaren’s 2017 car its track debut later this month. It has been a period of change for the Honda-powered team, since the forced departure of McLaren supremo Ron Dennis. The traditional “MP4” will be removed from the official name of the 2017 chassis, and there are rumours McLaren will […]